Rep. Bernie Sanders to Discuss Freedom to Read Protection Act at NEBA

Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who introduced the Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157), which seeks to restore the privacy of library and bookstore records that was taken away by Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, will take part in an hour-long session at the New England Booksellers (NEBA) Association Fall Trade Show. The session, sponsored by the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, will be moderated by the foundation's president, Chris Finan, and will be held on Saturday, October 25, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

From the very beginning, New England booksellers have played a significant role in the campaign for the Freedom to Read Protection Act. NEBA president Linda Ramsdell, owner of Galaxy Bookshop in Hardwick, Vermont, and a group of Vermont librarians, wrote a letter that persuaded Congressman Sanders to introduce the legislation.

Many thought that there was little hope of changing Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act when Sanders introduced the bill seven months ago. Today, however, momentum for change to Section 215 is building, and Sanders will bring booksellers up to date on recent developments.

The NEBA trade show will be held in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Rhode Island Convention Center from October 24 - 26. For more on the show, click here or go to www.newenglandbooks.org/.